Bodrum - Antalya

1. Day :
Situated 30 minutes from its new international airport, Bodrum is a perfect embarkation or disembarkation port. It has a sophisticated marina to one side of the main harbor overlooking the imposing Crusader castle built by the Knights of St. John. The same castle houses the best underwater archaeological museum in the Mediterranean and is well worth a visit. Bodrum is the undisputed “hot spot” of the Aegean coast and boasts an abundance of good restaurants, bars and clubs.

2. Day :
En route to Mersencik, we anchor at Knidos for lunch and exploration of the ancient Carian city of Knidos. Famous as a center of art and culture in the fourth century B.C., Knidos had two harbors, one in the Aegean and one in the Mediterranean. The remains of the temple of Aphrodite overlook these harbors and there are countless other archaeological remains to feast one’s eyes on. We then sail on to Mersencik, where we anchor in a usually deserted narrow bay, providing a perfect setting for a barbeque on board.

3. Day :
A lovely little bay with good shelter from the Meltemi and with a hamlet ashore. The setting, with the mountains in the background, is majestic. On the waterfront, Ogun’s restaurant has provided many memorable evenings for hundreds of yachtsmen over the years and is always a favorite. There are many interesting walks in the area.

4. Day :
A large land-locked bay on the Turkish coast opposite the Greek island of Rhodes. In the old days this bay was heavily fortified and the well-preserved citadel and fortifications of Hellenic origin are proof of the areas past. Today the bay provides a spectacular setting for water sports and has a couple of small restaurants on her shores.

5. Day :
A stunning bay overlooked by an excellent restaurant providing superb meals in a memorable setting. From here a local boat and guide can be hired in order to travel up the Dalyan delta (where the “African Queen” was filmed) and visit the ancient city of the river trip one should catch sight of some of the many turtles, herons and kingfishers that abound in this area.

6. Day :
Before arriving at Cold water Bay, we anchor for lunch off Gemiler Island, where there are the ruins of what must have been a size-able Byzantine community. An exploration of the island is well worth the effort and the ruins include those of several churches, a covered walkway and many houses, shops, water cisterns etc. A short sail then takes us to Cold water Bay (so-named because of the cold fresh water springs entering the sea here), where there is a delightful rustic restaurant ashore and the opportunity to take a very enjoyable hike (45 min) to the old Greek village of Kaya, deserted since the 1920’s when the population exchange took place.

7. Day :
Another village along this coast affected by the population exchange of 1922, Kalkan nestles in the crease of a hill at the foot of which is the attractive harbor. It is a scuba diving center and the ideal port from which to visit the ancient cities of Xanthos and Patara. Flowers spill from the balconies in Kalkan and there are numerous restaurants and bars to choose from.

8. Day :
This delightful Greek Island a short distance from the Turkish coast is an absolute must to visit. After lunching and spending the afternoon in the gorgeous anchorage with gin-clear water, we moor stern-to the quay in the typically Greek village, where one can visit the local museum and dine at the various waterside restaurants. A walk up the path to the top of the precipitous mountain behind the village rewards one with spectacular vistas of the surrounding islands and the Turkish mainland. Before leaving the island, we sail down its eastern coast and visit the beautiful Blue Grotto (said to be better than the one on Capri), which we enter by dinghy, leaving the yacht outside.

9. Day :
A beautiful area protected from the sea by Kekova Island and abundant in the ruins of a Lycian civilization, some of which are now under water as the result of a devastating earthquake. The battlements of a magnificent Crusader fortress stand dramatically over the village and the views from the castle is magnificent. Within the castle there is a small theater and the surrounding slopes are dotted with sarcophagi. A true perspective of the sunken city can be perceived from this perfect vantage point.

10. Day :
A magnificently remote anchorage amongst a multitude of islands and inlets with a variety of ancient ruins and a small restaurant ashore. A perfect setting for water sports of all kinds.

11. Day :
This town is in the heart of a market gardening area and is surrounded by citrus groves. It has a harbor and marina and is a good base from which to visit the sites at Demre and Myra, where many splendidly carved rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman theater.

12. Day :
This large bay surrounded by sandy beaches is a great spot for water sports and one can also explore the incredible sea caves on the northern shore. It is a short distance from the ancient city of Olympus and there are several good restaurants ashore.

13. Day :
En route to Kemer we stop for lunch at Tekirova, where we anchor in what used to be one of the harbors of ancient Phaselis. Here, a few meters from the yacht, are the well preserved ruins of aqueducts, agoras, baths, a theater, Hadrian’s Gate and an acropolis. The sheltered bay surrounded by sandy beaches, pine forests and shaded ruins makes this an unforgettable stopover. At Kemer we moor in the well equipped marina, which is centrally placed to all the shops and restaurants.

14. Day :
Antalya is a large attractive city with shady, palm-lined boulevards and a modern marina. The old part of the city surrounds the old harbor and has narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses about the ancient city walls. The harbor is surrounded by friendly cafes and restaurants and the many shops in the area sell everything from antique silverware to carpets. Antalya has two very good museums and an international airport and is a perfect place from which to visit the many attractions found close to the city. These include several national parks, some amazing waterfalls in different localities, ancient caves (one of which is the site of the oldest settlement in Turkey) and the ruins of the ancient city of Termessos, set in a national park on a 3,000ft high plateau – a wild and splendid landscape.